Chapter 223: Healthy and Well

On Saturday morning, sunlight streamed through the curtains into the bedroom.

When Su Ruan woke up, she found Jiang Ran already awake, lying on his side watching her.

"What are you looking at?" she asked softly.

"Looking at my daughter‑in‑law," Jiang Ran said, reaching out to pull her into his arms, "so beautiful."

Su Ruan smiled, nuzzling in his embrace, "Early in the morning, did you spread honey on your mouth?"

"Honestly," Jiang Ran replied, kissing her forehead, "you've worked hard this week."

"You too."

The two lingered in bed a while longer before getting up to wash up.

When they went downstairs, Li Huijuan was already in the kitchen preparing breakfast.

"Mom, why are you up so early?" Su Ruan said as she entered the kitchen to help.

"An'an said yesterday she wanted xiaolongbao, so I got up early to make them fresh," Li Huijuan said, deftly placing the buns into the steamer, "This child, after an illness, has changed her tastes."

Su Ruan felt warmth in her heart, "Mom, thank you. You've also worked hard these past days."

"Don't talk about hardship," Li Huijuan waved her hand, "Family is what it's for."

At breakfast, An'an ate with particular gusto. The little girl's complexion turned a bit rosy, and her eyes were bright.

"Grandma's xiaolongbao are the best!" she said while eating.

"If you like them, have more," Jiang Jianguo picked one for his granddaughter, "Make up for the ones you missed these past days."

Jinjin also ate earnestly.

The child has been quieter lately, but more sensible, voluntarily handing things to her sister and helping Grandma set the bowls and chopsticks.

"Jinjin is really well‑behaved," Jiang Nainai said with a smile, "She's grown up and knows how to take care of her sister."

Jinjin lowered her head a bit shyly, but the corners of her mouth lifted slightly.

After the meal, Su Ruan and Jiang Ran took the children for a walk around the neighborhood.

The autumn sun was warm without being scorching, the leaves golden, the scenery beautiful.

"Mom, I want to go to the playground," An'an said, pulling Su Ruan's hand.

"Maybe next week," Su Ruan said gently, "The doctor said we need a few more days of rest."

"Alright," An'an said, disappointed yet obedient.

Jiang Ran lifted his daughter, "But dad can tell you stories about the playground. Once you're better, we'll be the first to go."

"Really?"

"Really."

Father and daughter walked ahead, while Su Ruan held Jinjin's hand and followed behind.

Watching her husband and daughter laughing together, Su Ruan felt her heart full.

"Mom," Jinjin suddenly spoke.

"Hmm?"

"When sister was sick, I was scared," Jinjin said softly.

Su Ruan stopped, crouched down, looking at her son, "Mom knows. Mom was scared too."

"But now I'm not scared," Jinjin said earnestly, "Because sister is fine now."

"Right." Su Ruan said, hugging her son, "Sister's fine, our family is together again."

After the walk, Su Ruan kept the children company while they drew, and Jiang Ran went to the study to handle work.

Although Douzi Yaya helped with company matters, some decisions still had to be made by him personally.

In the afternoon, Jiang Jiaojiao and Yan Shen arrived with Yuan Yuan.

The little one was two months old, had grown a lot, white and chubby, especially cute.

"Aunt!" An'an ran over, gently touching her sister's face, "Sister has grown again."

"Yes," Jiang Jiaojiao said smiling, placing her daughter on the sofa, "Yuan Yuan, look at sister."

Yuan Yuan opened her big eyes, looking at the sister by the bed, waving her little hand.

"Sister is greeting me!" An'an said happily.

Jinjin also came over to look, whispering, "Sister's eyes… like Aunt."

"Really?" Jiang Jiaojiao laughed, "Everyone says she looks like your uncle."

"Like Aunt," Jinjin insisted, "Here at the corner of the eye, like."

The adults all laughed. Yan Shen said, "Who it looks like doesn't matter, as long as they're healthy."

Jiang Ran came out of the study, saw the lively scene in the living room, and laughed, "Sister, brother‑in‑law, are you here?"

"Come see An'an," Yan Shen said, "We heard she's been discharged, so we're all relieved."

"Just a false alarm," Jiang Ran shook his head, "But it did warn us, we need to pay more attention to the kids' health from now on."

"Indeed," Jiang Jiaojiao nodded, "After giving birth to Yuan Yuan, I feel my body isn't what it used to be. Need to strengthen training."

The family chatted, the atmosphere warm.

Li Huijuan sliced fruit and brought it out, while Jiang Nainai held Yuan Yuan, her face full of affection.

In the evening, Yan Shen and Jiang Jiaojiao said their goodbyes.

Before leaving, Jiang Jiaojiao held Su Ruan's hand and said, "RuanRuan, you've worked hard these past days. You also need to watch your health, don't overexert yourself."

"Got it, sister," Su Ruan nodded, "You too."

After seeing off Jiang Jiaojiao's family, dinner time arrived.

Today Li Huijuan made sweet‑and‑sour pork ribs, An'an's favorite, and the little girl ate it with particular relish.

"Grandma, can I have this again tomorrow?" An'an asked.

"Okay, whatever you want to eat, Grandma will make it," Li Huijuan said with a smile, "so you can keep your body strong."

"Mm!" An'an nodded vigorously, "I want to grow tall, as tall as dad."

"Then you have to eat well and exercise more," Jiang Ran gave his daughter a piece of spare rib, "When you're spry enough, dad will take you mountain climbing."

"I'll go too!" Jinjin said immediately.

"Everyone go, our whole family will go," Jiang Jianguo said, "Find a weekend and we can take a trip to the suburbs."

After the meal, Su Ruan bathed the children.

An'an played with bubbles in the bathtub, while Jinjin quietly let mom wash her hair.

"Mom," An'an suddenly asked, "when I was sick, did you and dad not sleep at all?"

Su Ruan's hand paused: "We did sleep, just not much."

"I saw dad's eyes all red," An'an whispered, "Mom also cried."

Su Ruan's nose twitched sourly, forcing a smile, "Dad and mom are worried about you."

"I won't get sick again," An'an said seriously, "so I won't make dad and mom worry."

"Silly child," Su Ruan kissed her daughter, "illness is not something you can control. But dad and mom will always be with you, whether you're sick or not."

After the bath, she coaxed the children to sleep.

An'an was especially clingy today, demanding mom tell a story and dad sing a song; it took a long while before she finally fell asleep.

Once both children were asleep, Su Ruan and Jiang Ran returned to their own room, utterly exhausted.

"Raising kids is truly hard work," Jiang Ran collapsed onto the bed, "it's more tiring than a whole day of business."

"But it's worth it," Su Ruan lay beside him, "seeing them healthy makes any fatigue worthwhile."

Jiang Ran turned his body, pulling her into his arms: "Wife, this week… thank you."

"Thank me for what?"

"Thank you for being so strong even at the most frightening moments," Jiang Ran's voice was a bit low, "If it weren't for you, I might not have made it through."

Su Ruan looked up at him: "Without you, I couldn't have made it either. We support each other."

The two exchanged a smile.

At that moment, all the fatigue turned into warmth.

"By the way," Jiang Ran suddenly recalled, "over at the company, Douzi said the Shanghai boutique's sales hit a new high this month. General Manager Liu asked if we're interested in joining next year's Shanghai Fashion Week main venue."

"Main venue?" Su Ruan's eyes lit up, "Do we have the qualification for that now?"

"General Manager Liu said he can help us apply," Jiang Ran said, "but the pressure will be greater. If you feel we're not ready yet, we can wait another year."

Su Ruan thought for a moment: "I want to try."

"Are you sure?"

"Sure." Su Ruan nodded, "After this incident, I feel… life is too fragile, so we must seize what we want to do. And I have confidence."

Jiang Ran looked at her shining eyes and smiled, "Alright, then we'll give it a try. I support you."